Didn’t Get an Internship? Or Never Even Got the Chance to apply? Let’s talk about it.

Some of your friends are working in banks, hospitals, law firms, or even startups this break. You? Still checking your email for replies. Or maybe… you didn’t even get the chance to apply.

If that sounds like you, keep reading.

Maybe you were ghosted. Maybe you didn’t hear about the opening early enough. Or you just didn’t know where to start. No worries. Here’s what you can do now—to prepare and come back stronger next time.

First of All: It’s Not Your Fault

Let’s be honest.

In Ghana (and other parts of Africa), it’s not easy to find internships.

• Some schools don’t help students find jobs.

• Some people only hear about opportunities after the deadline.

• Many don’t have “connections” to help.

• Some companies only choose students from certain schools.

That’s not your fault. But now it’s your job to be smart and take action.

Don’t Just Sit and Wait

No internship? Doesn’t mean you should do nothing.

Use this time to grow. Here’s how:

• Help a small business (marketing, social media, records)

• Volunteer at a clinic, school, church, or NGO

• Join a student group on campus and take up real tasks

• Start a small project with friends (event, blog, business idea)

It doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be real.

What matters is the impact—not the title.

Keep Track of What You Do

Whatever you do, write it down:

• What did you work on?

• What problem did you solve?

• What did you learn?

This will help you explain your experience in your next CV or interview.

Example:

“I helped a food seller keep track of orders with Google Sheets. She made fewer mistakes and saved more money.”

That’s better than saying “I have no experience.”

Be Seen Online

You don’t need to be a social media expert. Just share small things:

• A lesson from your side project

• Something you’re learning in your field

• A challenge you faced and how you solved it

This helps people discover you. It also shows that you’re serious about your career.

Ask for Help the Right Way

Don’t just say:

“Hi, please help me get a job.”

Try this instead:

“Hi, I’m studying [course] and I saw you work at [company]. Can I ask for 10 minutes of your time or get feedback on my CV?”

This way, people are more likely to respond and help you.

Learn New Things (Even Without Money)

You don’t need a lot of money to build skills.

You can start with:

• Free online courses (Coursera, ALX, LinkedIn Learning)

• Industry groups on WhatsApp or Telegram

• Campus clubs and alumni groups

Don’t focus on certificates. Focus on building real skills.

You’re Not Late. Your Story Is Still Being Written.

Yes, internships help. But they are not the only way.

You can still grow and build yourself this season.

Your story next year can be:

“I didn’t get an internship last year—but I worked on X, learned Y, and now I’m ready for Z.”

That’s powerful. And employers respect that.

Looking for Where to Start? Join Anaanse.

We built Anaanse so students and young professionals across Ghana can discover real opportunities, not just wait to be lucky.

Whether you’re trying to learn, connect, or get hired—this is where you begin.

👉🏽 Join Anaanse today and stop waiting for the next chance to find you. Go find it.